Villopoto Closes Supercross Season A Winner

LAS VEGAS — Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto put an exclamation point on his title-winning Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season during Saturday’s season finale before a sold-out crowd (35,509) at Sam Boyd Stadium by winning his seventh race of the year.

Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson, who had four wins on the season, won the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship, and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson finished the season with the race win. GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle won the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship as Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin captured the first race win of his career. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Justin Hill led wire-to-wire to win the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout.

In the 450SX Class Main Event, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer won the first Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award of his season but was quickly passed by Villopoto on the opening lap. Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey passed Weimer on lap two, and his teammate Ken Roczen took over third place the following lap.

Villopoto’s lead was nearly nine seconds by lap 15, and he finished the race with a 13.9-second margin of victory. Dungey finished second and Roczen finished third. Roczen passed James Stewart for third place in season standings.

“It is a long season, and it is hard, but I have good people behind me that give it 100 percent,” said Villopoto. “Something started to click for me about halfway through the season, and I am excited to have another championship.”

Villopoto clinched his fourth consecutive Monster Energy Supercross Championship last weekend at the first-ever race held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and tonight’s win marked the 41st of his career.

Yamaha/Star Racing/Yamalube’s Cooper Webb jumped out to the early lead with the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award to begin the Western Regional 250SX Class season finale. Anderson started near the middle of the pack, crossing the finish line in ninth place at the end of lap one.

Wilson held down the number-two position until the end of lap seven when he passed Webb for the lead. Webb answered back the following lap to take over the lead. Wilson returned the favor on lap nine and rode to his second victory of the season.

Webb followed in second place and Wilson’s teammate Justin Hill, who had four top-three finishes this season, rounded out the podium in third place. Anderson finished in sixth place, enough to award him the first championship of his career.

“Everyone that lines up on the starting line gives everything they have to this sport, and to come out on top with the championship means a lot to me,” said Anderson. “This win is for all of my supporters — my team and family. It has not been an easy ride to the top, but we got it done.”

En route to the championship, Bogle opened the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event with the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award, and Martin and GEICO Honda’s Matt Bisceglia followed Bogle in second and third respectively.

On lap five, Webb moved around Bogle to take over the lead and eventual win, while Bogle crossed the finish line in second place. Bisceglia earned a career-best third place finish.

“I am definitely excited about this championship,” said Bogle. “I am going to celebrate this win tonight and get back to work tomorrow.”

In the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout, Hill led the field through the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot with Bisceglia in tow. Wilson moved through the pack on the opening lap, passing Bisceglia for second place before the finish line.